16-year-old student athlete killed in car crash

HIRAM, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The tiny town of Hiram is mourning what person after person calls a huge loss. 16-year-old Alexia Valente died when she lost control of her car and slammed into a tree on River Road ... not far from her home.

She was a good student and popular three-sport athlete at Sacopee Valley High School. She was driving home with two friends after last night's soccer game when the accident happened.

Thepassengers 17-year-old Christopher Eagles and 16-year-old Austin Lewis who are both from Baldwin were injured and treated at Maine Medical Center.

Friends and neighbors paying respects at a roadside memorial today say Alexia Valente had a big heart and giving nature.

"I just always remember her being there and being around - she's always there for eveybody," says Courtney Ryan, a friend and sophomore at Sacopee Valley High. "She's just that kind of person who really cares about other people. She would definetly put anyone before herself. She's a very caring person."

Investigators say speed was a factor in the crash. The speed limit on River Road is 45 mph. The trooper on-scene says there is no indication any of the teens were wearing seat belts.

By law, 16-year-olds who get their license must drive with a family member in the car. If Valente had been pulled over last night, she would have lost her license for 30 days.